Wearable Fan Accessory For Improved Clapping

ABSTRACT

A pair of sports fan gloves, each having a front side and a back side, and a plurality of members positioned in covering relation to the front side of each glove. The glove may be manufactured from any conventional cloth fabric or similar material used for clothing apparel, and dimensioned to be worn on various sized hands. The members are preferably made of a firm plastic or other rigid polymer and affixed to the palm and fingers of each glove in spaced relation to each other. Users wearing two such gloves may applaud or handclap in the convention manner, with improved audibility and loudness of the resulting clapping sound.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/999,211, filed Oct. 17, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to amusement devices and, more particularly, to a device for improving the percussion of clapping hands.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Spectators in an audience normally express approval of a performance by creating an audible sound known as applause. Applause is the most commonly used method to demonstrate appreciation or approval of a performer or performance and is typically created by numerous individuals striking their hands together to generate an audible sound known as a “handclap.” A handclap is normally generated by positioning the fingers of the first hand together where they form a row and are touching each other, and flatly striking the palm of the opposite hand.

In addition to clapping, there are a few devices known in the art for improving the loudness of applause. For example, some fans may employ two vertically-shaped inflated plastic balloons that create noise when struck together. Such devices as bulky, however, and frequently obstruct the view of others when used. Other fans may wear giant foam hands having a single digit extended. These devices will not make any noise when clapped together, and also interfere with the ability of surrounding fans to watch an event. Finally, there are a variety of physical noise-making devices used by, such as ratchets and air horns. These devices are often banned however, and require a user to hold onto the device, thereby interfering with the users ability to grasp a beverage or food item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for generating louder applause and, in particular, handclapping.

It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for generating louder applause that is easy to use.

It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for generating louder applause that does not interfere with viewing an event.

It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for generating louder applause that allows a user to carry out other activities while viewing an event.

In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a glove having a front side and a back side, and a plurality of members positioned in covering relation to predetermined portions of front side. The glove may be manufactured from any conventional cloth fabric or similar material used for clothing apparel, and dimensioned to be worn on various sized hands. Members are preferably made of a firm plastic or other rigid polymer and affixed to the palm and fingers of each glove in spaced relation to each other. The members may be made of various materials that provide rigidity and may vary color, size, thickness and shape to suit the needs of the user or the environment. User wearing two such gloves according to the present invention may applaud or handclap in the convention manner, and the present invention will improve the audibility and loudness of the resulting clapping sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the front of a right hand sports fan glove according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of a right hand sports fan glove according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 a wearable sports fan accessory 10 comprising a glove 12 having a front side 14 and a back side 16 and a plurality of members 18 positioned in covering relation to predetermined portions of front side 14.

Preferably, glove 12 is manufactured from a cloth fabric or similar material. The fabric can vary in weight, texture and color to accommodate different ambient temperatures and reflect personal preferences as to color and style. Glove 12 may further comprise fabrics or similar material will sustain protect against or repel environmental conditions, such as rain or snow, for the use of the present invention during outdoor events or areas.

Members 18 are positioned on the palm and fingers of the glove and in spaced relation to each other. Preferably, each glove 12 will include between about ten and fifteen members 18 attached thereto. Members 18 may be attached to glove 12 in any number of conventional ways for attaching items to clothing, such as sewing the peripheral edges of members 18 to the material of glove 12 with a durable thread that may vary in color and weight. As with glove 12, members 18 may be made of various materials that provide some amount of rigidity and may vary color, size, thickness and shape to suit the needs of the user or the environment. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that various polymers and plastics may be used for members 18, such as acrylics, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyamides, and the like, provided that when the plastics are formed as sheets and clapped, they will provide the enhanced clapping sound. In an alternative embodiment, glove 12 may be configured as a mitten, such as for use in colder climates, with a plurality of members 18 positioned on the integral palm portion of the mitten.

Accessory 10 according to the present invention allows a user to produce an audible sound that is substantially louder than the sound produced by a bare handclap. However, it should be understood by those of skill in the art that every person does not have the same total sound produced for a handclap and that each user's individual total sound produced can change depending on the force, frequency, and actual length of the user's handclap. As gloves 12 are designed and appropriately dimension to be worn on the hands of a user, the present invention allows for improved loudness without interfering with the viewing of spectators and fans around the user of the present invention.

Due to the hand size of accessory 10, the present invention is very portable and may be stored and transported like conventional gloves, e.g., in a small storage pouch, a mid-sized pocket, a purse or small bag. Accessory 10 is also reusable, depending on how many sporting events that will be attended by the wearer to show their support.

Accessory 10 may be employed by a user by inserting each of his or her hands into one of two gloves 12 according to the present invention. The user may then clap his or her hands in the convention manner to produce a louder clapping noise that with bare hands to show encouragement for the individual athlete, a team, sporting event or any other event where applause is appropriate, such as outdoor sports like football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, and beach volleyball, or even indoor sports like basketball, indoor soccer, and indoor lacrosse to name a few.

Like conventional gloves, the present invention may include text or designs imprinted or applied thereon, such as team names, slogans or logos for desired teams or individuals, or combinations thereof on back side 16. Moreover, the materials used for glove 12 and members 18 may be selected in the color or colors of a particular team to further show fan support at a sporting event. 

1. A wearable fan accessory, comprising: a glove; and a plurality of members affixed to said glove.
 2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein said glove is dimensioned to be worn on the hand of a human.
 3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein said glove comprises a palm and five fingers.
 4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of members are affixed to the palm.
 5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein said glove comprises fabric.
 6. The accessory of claim 5, wherein said members comprise plastic.
 7. The accessory of claim 6, wherein said members are affixed to said glove by thread.
 8. The accessory of claim 7, further comprising a second glove and a second plurality of members affixed to said glove.
 9. The accessory of claim 8, where said gloves include a logo printed thereon.
 10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein said gloves and said pluralities of members are of the same color. 